Les Légions

This is what happens when excellent camera work, great cinematography, very tasteful color scheme, pretty promising ideas clash with hasty tempo, very surfac-y delivery, thin character development, very sketchy plot.

What makes it really annoying, is the fact of how many new people appear in the course of the movie... and then disappear. You simply have no time to sympathize or hate anyone there.

It seems that filmmakers had a grand vast array of plot lines but lack of time and finance made it cut short and abrupt.

Having said that, the battle scenes are shot well, Russians speak without any accent, but then, again, they were not all bearded or talking about vodka or so cruel.

Even Pan Jozef Pilsudski is shown in a very weird and sketchy style... pity.

Several great Polish actors have very little screen time, which is also a huge minus here.

Pity, but the promising movie failed, not with a dull plod but with a faint whimp rather.

I expected more... I am rather dillusioned now.

By the beginning of WWI Poland did not exist as a country; it was partitioned among Russia. The Austro-Hungarian Empire and Prussia.. When war broke out Poland's nationalists saw an opportunity to to use the upheaval to procure the reinstatement and independence of Poland. The first priority was to defeat Tsarist Russia. The Poles were no supporters of the Central Powers but believed that the rest of the occupying powers could later be persuaded (or forced) to leave.

The formation of the Polish Legions was declared by Marshall Józef Pilsudski in August 1914 as independent formations of the Austro-Hungarian Army. The Legions only existed for two years (in 1916 they merged with other military formations) but participated in many battles and became one of the founding myths of modern Poland.

This movie covers the beginnings of the Legions and some of its initial battles, centering on three fictional characters, Legion members Józek and Tadeusz and Aleksandra, fighter and war nurse. There are Hollywood echoes, such as the heroic exploits of Józek and Tadeusz, and credibility is strained here and there such as in the blowing up of a bridge. The film does not really come together into a coherent whole, and it feels at times slow paced and overlong. It omits history, which possibly means it was aimed towards the Polish public. On the positive side, it does not preach or propagandize and contains some stirring war scenes such as a cavalry charge over enemy trenches. Production values and acting are of high level. It amply deserves to a watch.

The overall low rating is a disgrace. No it's not a straight forward hero action movie. It is a beautiful story, great filming and superb acting. It attracted me from the first to the last minute. It is a little bit in the tradition of love and peace of Tolstoj. Watching this movie it learns you why Poland always have such a difficult relationship with Russia. The struggle to fight for freedom against a stronger opponent.

Perhaps some remember the great views of Tarkovsky and blanc, bleu and rouge of kieslowsli. Polish films often give a deep and lasting impression. Go watch it for yourself..

The movie tells the story of Polish Legions that fight for the reestablishment of their motherland after 123 years of the Partition of Poland. While the historical aspects are presented quite well, underlying the patriotism and bravery of the Legionairies, the romantic plot that emerges between a deserter Jozek, a Legionairy Tadek and a young fighting woman Ola seems to lack some resolution. Female lead acting isn't the strongest, the emotional aspects seem to be missing, and the character of Ola ultimately appears to be bland and shallow, especially in the way she treats Józek in the end. Jozek is a much more complex character: withdrawn, brave, distant and a bit of a loner, he makes an intriguing individual. The actor definitely delivers. He deserves a better confrontation with Tadek and Ola as the way the love story ends seems like an unfinished business, something that was nice when it was needed but was ultimately shrugged off by the girl in a surprisingly emotionless way. All in all, it's a great movie about Polish people and their incredible patriotic spirit. I just wish the romance was at least half as powerful as the will of the Legionaries to recover their home.

The low ratings for this film are unfair.

This film deserves much more appreciation.

Cinematography, acting, music and overall great movie and meeting, dare to say, exceeding Hollywood war films. Also respect for the Polish nation and people who had to fight so many wars to be independent.